abby ahmad

“A well-developed sense of humor is the pole that adds balance to your steps as you walk the tightrope of life.”  - William Arthur Ward

The majority of devoted vocalists take their craft pretty seriously. We have dedicated countless hours, days, years, decades, LIFETIMES to the progression of our form. We make amendments to our sleep schedules, diets, and extra-curricular activities. We sacrifice finances, social life, and opportunities. We are consistently seeking improvement. We are constantly striving to evolve our skill set and enhance our potency as performers. But there reaches a point when the rigidity surrounding our goals/timelines for desired progression becomes counter-productive.

Levity is key when it comes to expression. There is a lightness of self that emerges through humor. We can simultaneously take our craft seriously without taking ourselves too seriously. When we grasp too tightly to results, we lose the opportunity to find nuances that are discovered through play. Engaging in silliness is the gateway to sanity and sustainability.

Try to pinpoint a memory from early childhood when you were being ridiculously playful. As young children, we lacked the innate bias that developed with experience. We didn’t care how we were perceived or received. We were captivated by our own joy. We were enamored by the freedom to express for the sake of expression, without judgement.

I have developed a series to help us return to that limitless feeling of play. Approach it with an open mind and heart. As jaded adults, it is common to experience unease in seeing, hearing, or feeling yourself be “silly”. Allow the judgmental thoughts to arise. Acknowledge their existence, Then release and resume the exercise. I know you can do it! SERIOUSLY!

For the following series, you’ll need:

A SPACE WHERE YOU HAVE PRIVACY
You’ll need to find space which facilitates the freedom to make faces, shapes, and sounds without embarrassment of being witnessed by others. (Unless you don’t care about that, which is even better!)

A MIRROR
Ideally a full-length mirror, but at least one that you do not need your hands to hold up.

A RUG OR YOGA MAT
We’re not going crazy with poses here, but you’ll need something to support yourself while sitting/lying on the floor.

A SENSE OF HUMOR
Say what? I mentioned that already? How SILLY of me!

THAT’S A STRETCH…

“The first step towards true enlightenment is to lighten up on yourself.” - Bashar

Facial stretching is a great way to loosen up and begin softening the muscles and mind. Here’s a few to try. Begin in a comfortable seated position:

“O” FACE (um not THAT kind of “O” face, the literal one)

• Open mouth wide open as if you’ve just been surprised (let the jaw release naturally, DON’T FORCE!)
• Keeping the mouth in this open shape, pucker just the lips forward to make a small “O” shape
• Release. repeat 5 times.

LION FACE (Simhasana face)

• open mouth and stick out tongue 
• cross the eyes and roll them upward
• inhale through the nose, then exhale aggressively out the mouth
• repeat 3 times

MAN IN THE MIRROR / SILLY SELFIE

“It is a curious fact that people are never so trivial as when they take themselves seriously.” - Oscar Wilde

Mirror play is essential in learning how to take ourselves less seriously. Take a few minutes to find some of your most ridiculous, unattractive characters. Start with the face, and incorporate the whole body. The more mortifying, the better! Now, once you’ve developed your most monstrous/hilarious mugs, snap 3 selfies to keep on your phone. (Or send to a friend!) Whenever life hits you with a fierce punch, scan your camera roll and find these gems to remind you that the absurdity of life can also be amusing.

Here are my three most ludicrous. Please don’t blackmail me.

STRIKE A POSE

“Comedy is acting out optimism.” - Robin Williams

Swaying Tree Pose: 

The Seal:

CACHINNATION MEDITATION

(Laughing Meditation)

“Humor is the affectionate communication of insight.” - Leo Rosten

• Take a comfortable seat on your rug, mat, etc. 
• Raise yourself up by placing an extra folded blanket under your seat
• Take 3 rounds of mindful, slow inhales and exhales
• Allow the corners of your mouth to curl upward forming a grin
• Deepen your grin by letting your smile widen, allowing the teeth to show and the mouth to open slightly
• Begin to chuckle lightly
• Allow the laughter to deepen incorporating the muscles of the belly
• Laugh for laughter’s sake, not attaching it to someone or something
• Whatever emotion emerges through the exercise, see if you can laugh with it, not against it. Find levity in what is heavy. Find weightlessness in what is light.
• Let your laughter authentically dissipate. Then sit in silence and stillness and observe your breath, body, and mind.

VOCAL EXERCISES

“Your obsession with being in control of your mind makes you so stiff all the times; that is why our egos are growing, and our sense of humor is shrinking.”   -Jazz Gill

The Blah Blah Blah:

The Ooh Wee Ooh:

Once you feel comfortable doing this series (or portion of the series) on your own, try incorporating a partner or small group. A shared experience of ridiculousness starts to break down the preciousness and fear of how we are perceived by others. Particularly, in this social media drenched existence of presenting our ideal selves, cracking the perception of perfection is so liberating! Till next time, clowns…

As an asthmatic, allergenic, singer, actor, teacher, and ex-smoker (it’s true!), I know all too well the cyclical slippery slope that is chronic throat clearing. It starts with a tickle, a sensation of mucus blockage, or a bit of raspiness in speech. It feels so satisfying, gratifying, and useful to clear it all away with a strong, “AHEM!” But did you know that throat clearing is actually perpetuating the conditions you’re attempting to remedy?

When you clear the throat, an excessive amount of movement is wreaked on the vocal folds, causing them to slam together and create friction. This action exacerbates the situation, making you feel the need to continuously clear the throat to “soothe” the aggravation, when you are, in fact, worsening it.

Throat clearing is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It results from something affecting the throat or airways. It can be caused by something actually being stuck in the back of your throat, but often, we feel the tickle or sensation without anything actually being there.

This process can become habitual. Triggering and re-triggering to no end. This repeated cycle can induce long-term damage to the throat and vocal cords. Throat clearing is deemed “chronic” when symptoms last over three months. 

First thing you need to pinpoint is: Am I a physiological or psychological throat-clearer? OR A COMBINATION OF THE TWO?

PHYSIOLOGICAL

Does there feel as if you have a perpetual tickle in the throat/voice? Do you consistently feel a build up of mucus in your throat? Does this abundance of phlegm cause hoarseness or alteration to your voice?

Many things can be attributed to an excess of mucus/aggravation in the throat:

• allergies
• cold
• post-nasal drip
• asthma
• acid reflux - also know as gastroesophogeal reflux disorder (GERD)
• smoking
• excessive alcohol intake
• food allergies/inflammation
• side effects from blood pressure medication (ACE inhibitors)

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR: 

• Clearing your throat is disrupting sleep or altering speech

• The aggravation is resulting in persistent hoarseness or laryngitis

• You are having problems breathing and/or swallowing 

If your issue is physical, here are some suggestions to reduce mucus/throat aggravation:

• stay hydrated

• drink warm liquids - hot water with lemon or decaf teas

• take small sips of water throughout the day

• suck on clove or cardamom after meals (natural mucus reducer/aids digestion)

• sinus irrigation (saline spray or Neti Pot)

• reduce intake of dairy, caffeine, and alcohol (increases mucus/dehydrates)

• use a personal steam inhaler/inhale shower steam

• purchase a cool-mist humidifier or essential oil diffuser (be sure to clean frequently - mold will make symptoms worse!)

• utilize warm compresses on sinuses, throat

• quit smoking! 

• do an elimination diet to track any food intolerances/allergies 

• gargle with salt water

• drink a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar diluted in water up to 3 times daily

• do not eat heavy meals before bed

PSYCHOLOGICAL

Psychological throat clearing is behavioral habituation triggered by:

• stress
• anxiety
• nerves
• habit/repetition
• discomfort in conversation, performance, or public speaking

When it comes to psychological throat clearing, the biggest tool is awareness. Monitor yourself in situations and observe how frequently you clear or have the urge to clear. Ask others to call you out when you do it.  Be mindful of what is triggering you. Do you feel stressed, awkward, uncomfortable, bored, authoritative, etc.?  

THROAT CLEARING ALTERNATIVES

Whatever the cause of your throat aggravation, you can utilize these alternatives to help break the cycle:

Dry Swallow - Swallowing saliva closes the vocal folds and can rid them of mucus.

Speaking Through The Aggravation -Talk through the mucus/raspiness. The natural vibration of the vocal folds may rid the folds of secretions.

See video below for examples of the following:

Silent Cough/Silent Throat Clear - Use your breath support to push air through the vocal folds. The strong airflow blows the mucus off the vocal folds.

Panting - Lightly pant with the mouth open and tongue out. Then swallow

Gentle Hum Series 

Gentle Laugh 

The “Woo-Woo”

If you do not garner any relief by incorporating these shifts/suggestions into your routine, be sure to consult with an ENT doctor who can help assess if there are deeper roots to the issue.  

May this help you CLEAR the path to a happier and healthier throat/voice and create consciousness and clarity in your communication! 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LESSONS WITH ABBY, visit: 

http://www.abbyahmad.com/vocal-coaching

We all know and have employed myriad physical remedies to heal a sore throat/strained vocal cords. We’ve steamed and tea-ed and silenced our way back to health (or at least enough to squawk our way through a gig). But how often have you considered the impact of internal and spiritual balance when it comes to your vocal health and prowess? 

CHAKRAS are energy centers within the human body which regulate and stabilize its operations. They include organ processes, immunity, and our emotions. There are seven major chakras positioned from the base of the spine to the crown of the head, each representing foundations of our human experience and functionality. 

Today, we’ll focus on the 5th Chakra: The Throat Chakra (Vishuddha) 

A balanced Throat Chakra will cultivate clear communication and creative expression within ourselves and to be received from others. Opening this delicate chakra will summon our inner truth and help that truth to be represented vocally.  

Signs of a weakened throat chakra include: shyness in speech, stuttering, nervous clearing of the throat, a sensation of choking back emotions, whispered speech, or perhaps eliminating vocality altogether. 

Signs of an hyperactive throat chakra include: chronic sore throat, laryngitis, rapid speech, self-deprecating speech, inability to listen, condescension/judgement and dominating conversation. 

Mudra for Throat Chakra

A mudra is a spiritual gesture that helps to summon specified energy. 

GRANTHITA MUDRA

Interlace your last three fingers (middle, ring and pinky) together inside of your hands. Interlock the index fingertips and thumbs to form two rings and hold this mudra in front of the base of your throat. Inhale and exhale through the nose for 4 rounds of breath. 

Pranayama (Conscious Breath) for Throat Chakra

Inhale deeply though the nose. Open the mouth and exhale like you are fogging up glass. Repeat 4 times. 

Ujjāyī Prānāyāma:

The sensation of Ujjāyī breath will be similar to that of the glass fogging exercise, however the mouth remains closed.

Focus on the throat. Inhale and exhale deeply through the nose, while lightly constricting the back of the throat. The breath will have an oceanic effect, like that of waves crashing. It may feel similar to the sound of deep sleep breath. 

Continue for 2-5 minutes. 

Sound Healing for Throat Chakra

Find your “natural pitch”. That is a note in your range that feels comfortable and able to be held without strain. 

Inhale through the nose and chant the sound “HAM” (Haaaaaaahmmmmm) with your chosen pitch for the full length of your exhale. 

Repeat 8 times. Return to Ujjāyī Breath for a round of 4. Repeat chant 8 times.

Meditation for Throat Chakra

The color associated with the Vishuddha (Throat) Chakra is a sky blue. Vishuddha translates to “especially pure”. 

Envision a pure, crystal-blue light, streaming in like a spotlight to the center of your throat. As you inhale and exhale, see it fill the space and cleanse the entirety of your neck and throat. 

Expand the light to go deeper and purify the larynx, the vocal folds, the thyroid. Deepen the breath and resume your Ujjāyī Pranayama or chanting the sound “HAM” silently. 

Envision any toxins, impurities, and contradictions as black vapor separating from the blue light. Inhale deeply. Open the mouth, stick out the tongue, and exhale strongly on a fiery ‘HA” sounds letting all the breath drain out. Expunge the impurities as you repeat 3 times. 

Return to a natural set of inhales and exhales for 4 rounds.

Affirmation for Throat Chakra

“I am able to express myself with clarity and consciousness. I am able to receive communication with coherence and compassion.” 

Repeat out loud twice and another two times silently. 

Applying these exercises/incorporating them into your existing vocal warm up, will encourage equilibrium both internally and externally. Liberate yourself and let your true voice thrive! 

Healthy singing is achieved within the beautiful balance of technique and temperament. It is the push and pull of complete control and complete surrender.  For many of us, it is difficult not to be judgmental with our process and progress.  It is human nature to question and contemplate. However, in vocalization, this often works against us. Over-analyzing and mistrust encourages rigidity and strain in the body making it impossible to execute our voices in a fully-integrated manner. 

However, there are many helpful and even fun ways to encourage your think tank to work in your favor. It starts by questioning your direction. By accessing and assessing your innate bias, you can actively choose to flip that bitch!  

ENGAGING “THE GAZE”

When practicing exercises, warmups, or difficult vocal riffs, establishing “the gaze”, or drishti, is of utmost importance.  Sight is an extremely potent sense.  Our brains are constantly investigating and interpreting what we take in through our vision.  When the eyes are bopping about, it creates more opportunity for the brain to become unfocused and unsettled.  By establishing a focal point, we are encouraging the brain to prioritize the task at hand.  We can then establish more awareness of our habits, emotional triggers, and distractors, which affect our vocal capabilities and performance.  

Find a non-moving and somewhat uninteresting place to set your gaze upon.  (An imperfection/hole in the wall - GOOD!  Out the window or at a brightly colored painting - NOT SO GOOD.)  Allow the focal point to become a bit fuzzy.  Let your peripheral vision become sharper than the point of focus.  Do not squint or widen the eyes, just allow them to settle comfortably upon your focal point.  Take three smooth inhales and exhales through the nose.  Allow any rising thoughts to settle as you establish the rhythm of your breath in preparation for vocalization.   


OPPOSITES ATTRACT

One of the biggest commonalities amongst my students is the tendency to take their bodies along for the ride when it comes to hitting both higher and lower pitches.  When aiming for high notes, the eyes roll up inside the head and the neck muscles stretch uncomfortably toward the heavens, begging for assistance.  This creates stress and tension in the neck/shoulders and contradicts the openness necessary to execute higher pitches.  When attempting low notes, the chin seems to attach itself to the chest, nearly cutting off the resonators completely, making noise production very difficult. 

To negate these natural inclinations, try pulling a fast one on the ol’ psyche.  Consciously enable the opposite.  When singing higher pitches, actively think or even point downward with your finger.  When cultivating lower pitches, think forward and slightly up.  This bit of trickery allows a welcome distraction for the brain and lends itself to alleviating physical tension.  The body-mind becomes primed for proper execution.


“THE MUSKET THRUST”

I recently saw the revival of one of my favorite Broadway musicals, Les Misérables.  I noticed in the group numbers involving soldiers, almost every glorious sustained high note was accompanied by an intense thrust of a musket.  While it was probably a matter of choreography, it inspired me to experiment in my own practice and with my students. 

When practicing a particularly difficult note, I encouraged students to incorporate a powerful physical movement along with the vocalization. After a week of collective “musket thrusting”, I noticed that self-induced pressure seemed to subside and students were more effortlessly and gracefully executing the challenging notes! 

Our psyche is an incredibly dominant player when it comes to vocalizing. It can equally propel and paralyze us. By giving your physical body a specific task, the part of the brain which is over-analyzing/judging the vocal output relaxes slightly.  These healthy distractions enable us to soften our internal critic and fears of attempting a note and failing.

So, be it musket thrust, karate kick, jazz hands, or slow-rise wingspan arms, play around with getting out of the head and into the body.  Lightening the atmosphere encourages more faith and less falter when it comes to traversing the tricky terrain of your thinker.